Mohawk Trail Being Honored at 59th Fall Foliage Parade

The Fall Foliage Festival Parade kicks off Oct. 5 with a Mohawk Trail theme.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Fall Foliage Festival Parade is marking the Mohawk Trail's centennial anniversary this October.

The trail will be theme of the 59th annual parade and Peter Tomyl,  longtime president of the Mohawk Trail Association, will be this year's grand marshal.

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, which coordinates the parade, and the city of North Adams on Wednesday announced the theme and grand marshal selection for the parade.

"Celebrating the adventure and culture that people have experienced on the Mohawk Trail over the last century is our way of paying homage to the communities that have made it possible," said Parade Director Danielle Thomas, the chamber's coordinator of events and programs. "We're delighted that Peter will be leading the celebration. His efforts to expand the association's marketing efforts have resulted in an increase of visitors to the region, which benefits the entire community."

Tomyl has served as the association's president for 15 years. During his tenure, he has implemented the use of billboards and developed a robust online presence with a new website and social media outlets, which has resulted in increased visitation from the Boston and New York markets.

With so many tasks still ahead, the committee welcomes volunteers to help with the parade effort. For more information on the parade or to volunteer, call Danielle Thomas at 413-499-4000, Ext. 126 or visit www.fallfoliageparade.com.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.